Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson rolled the dice and decided four receivers would be enough after Davante Adams was ruled out early in the week because of the knee injury he sustained in last week’s wild-card playoff win over the Redskins.

The Packers had two receivers on the practice squad: Ed Williams and Jamel Johnson.

Instead of promoting one of those two, they promoted a cornerback, Robertson Daniel, to fill the roster spot that was created by tight end Andrew Quarless' going to injured reserve due to recurring knee problems. Daniel was inactive.

Not that Williams or Johnson would have guaranteed the Packers any offense. Both are rookies, and neither has played in a regular-season game. But another receiver would have at least given McCarthy some flexibility. He says he never likes to be one injury away from being out of a personnel group. After losing Cobb, four wides plays were out of the playbook, and three receivers plays are essentially the Packers’ base offense.

Cobb's injury also put the Packers in a bad spot on special teams. After punt returner Micah Hyde left with a hip injury in the second quarter, they had to use Abbrederis on returns.